Method of and apparatus for removing stacked articles



Se St. 15,T953 A. HERZIG ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKED ARTICLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1950 Sept. 15, 1953 L. A. HERZIG ET-AL 2,652,161

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING smcxsn ARTICLES Filec l Feb. 4, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 57 73- m ul i 35 Z7 I 6/ I 1 HI //0 L 5 O 4 o I 'l I02 I 9/ 9.9 .9795 H ma r" f 62 m 74 4 707m m 7759 r O I IN V EN TORS Sept. 15, 1953 L. A. HERZIG ETAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKED ARTICLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4} 1950 Sept, 15,1953 L. A. HERZIG EIAL 2,652,161

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKED ARTICLES Filed Feb. 4, 1950 S Sheets-Sheet 4 i M Til-3 INVENTORS m3 0% Maw w A HERE/6 BY AWr/A UQ/ M/ Sept. 15, 1953 L. A. HERZIG ETAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKED ARTICLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1950 \IIII INVENTORS 150N400 A. //flZ/ BY #9077 6004/ Sept. 15, 1953 L. A. HERZIG ETAL 2,652,161

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKEID ARTICLES Filed Feb. 4, 1950 B-Sheets-Sheet s 'J q/z W 94 04 A573 9/4/84 .94 494 A515" 5 INVENTORS L 1 ZE'OMQFfi/Z //FZ/6 BY M077 60am Patented Sept. 15, 1953 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STACKED ARTICLES Leonard A. Herzig and Martin Coan, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignors to A. Richard Stern,

San Diego, Calif.

Application February 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,518

This invention relates to packaging machines for feeding pharmaceutical applicator pads, etc., to metal foil or other pliable wrappers in which they are subsequently sealed, and it has for its object to provide a novel and improved method and apparatus for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient method and apparatus for automatically removing predetermined. quantities of stacked articles, such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, from a supply source and conveying them to a packaging point.

Another object is to convey predetermined quantities of stacked articles of the above type from a supply source and deposit them on continuous strips of wrapping material in uniform equally spaced files suitable for subsequent sealing and severing into separate packages.

Still another object is to provide a novel combination of a supply magazine containing a stack of articles to be wrapped, and a movable carrier having suction means for periodically removing specific quantities of articles from the magazine conveying them to the wrapping point without dislodging other articles in the magazine.

A further object is to provide a machine of the type specified in which porous air-pervious articles such as fabric applicator pads are stacked in predetermined groups interleaved with relatively impervious spacers throughout the depth of the magazine, whereby suction fingers on the movable carrier in. skirting the magazine will always attract and detach only one group of pervious pads and its underlying impervious spacer.

Another object is to provide additional suction means for stripping the impervious spacer from each moving suction finger after it leaves the magazine and before it reaches the point where it deposits its cluster of applicator pads on the wrapping material.

A still further obiect is to provide a machine of the foregoing type having novel and improved details of construction and features of operation.

Various other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

The machine disclosed herein for purposes of illustration is intended primarily for use in packaging pharmaceutical applicator pads or discs in sanitary wrappers which are usually made of laminated metal foil or other pliable material, although. it will be evident as the description proceeds that the invention may also be used to advantage in many other situations.

The articles which we have chosen to illustrate the invention are porous fabric pads or 28 Claims. (Cl. 214-85) discs which serve as vehicles for an eye lotion for the relief of local eye irritations. Of Cour e, it would be possible to pack quantities of these damp medicated applicator pads in glass jars or the like for use in hospitals or infirmaries, but the average user requires only a couple of pads to relieve his tired eyes and we therefore usually pack a pair of pads in a sealed foil wrapper which may be carried in the pocket or purse and can easily be ripped open and discarded on the spot.

For use in this particular situation the machine of the present invention has one or more magazines in which the dry porous pads are stacked in such a way that each pair of pads is separated from each succeeding pair of pads by a non-porous spacer made of paper or other suitable material which is substantially impervious to the passage of air. The machine includes a movable carrier having a plurality of suction fingers which move over the open-ended magazines and attract the topmost pair of porous pads and their underlying spacer, but cannot unseat the next succeeding pads beneath the substantially air-impervious spacer. The contents of the magazines are constantly raised by an elevator mechanism, and every time a suction finger sweeps over a magazine it seizes a stack of two pads and their underlying spacer and carries them toward the point where they are to be deposited on moving strips of wrapping foil.

Before the loaded suction fingers reach the wrapping station, however, they pass over a battery of suction nozzles which act only on the impervious spacers which are thereby stripped off and discarded as the suction fingers continue to transport the pads, now unencumbered by the spacers, to their final destination. Various novel means are employed to insure the proper timing and functioning of the magazine feed, the suction pick-up, the stripping off and discarding of the spacers, and the positioning of the pads on the strips of wrapping material, all as hereinafter described in detail.

Although the novel features which are characteristic of this invention are set forth more in detail in the claims appended hereto, the nature and scope of the invention may be better understood by referring to the folowing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which a specific embodiment has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 4, through the pad-supply magazine;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, showing the drive for actuating the magazine elevator, and the bottom support for the magazine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the machine, looking in the direction of the arrow a in Fig. 1, with parts broken away to simplify the showing;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 55 of Fig. 4, showing details of the air control cams and associated mechanisms;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 66 of Fig. 13, showing the cam mechanism for controlling the suction nozzles of Fig. 13;

Fig. '7 is a detail view showing one of the suction fingers on the rotatable carriage as it picks up a pair of pervious pads and an impervious spacer from the supply magazine;

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the same suction finger as it carries said pads and spacer over one of the stationary suction nozzles of Fig. 13 to dislodge and discard the spacer;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on line 99 of Fig. 10, showing the mechanisms for actuating the air control valves of the rotatable suction fingers;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on line Hll0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken on line llll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail of the valve resetting device, looking in the direction of the arrow b in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the stationary suction nozzles and associated control mechanisms (shown in plan in Fig. 6) for dislodging and discarding the spacers in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 14 is a broken vertical section on line I l-I4 of Fig. 4, showing the mechanisms for elevating the platform which supports the stacks of pads and spacers in the supply magazine;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the supply magazine, showing same detached from the frame of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on line l6l 6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a vertical section on line l'I-l'| of Fig. 18, showing the guides for positioning the pads as they are deposited on the travelling strips of Wrapping material;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal section taken on line l8i8 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. 19 is a transverse section taken on line l9-l9 of-Fig. 18.

In the following description certain specific terms are used for convenience in referring to the various details of the invention. These terms, however, are to be interpreted as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

The machine shown herein for purposes of illustration includes a flat horizontal table I mounted on suitable standards 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17.

A plurality of continuous strips of wrapping material 3 (here shown to be three in number) are strung in spaced parallel relation on the table I, and suitable means (not shown) are provided for moving the strips 3 intermittently in a longitudinal direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1.

The strips of wrapping material 3 may be of any type or construction suitable for pac g moist pharmaceutical products. For example, we have used a laminated strip comprising an outer layer of metal foil, an intermediate layer of glassine paper secured thereto by a water-soluble adhesive, and a final layer of metal foil secured to said paper by a thermoplastic waterproof coating, the last-mentioned layer of foil having its outer surface coated with a vinyl-type thermoplastic lacquer permitting two such strips of wrapping material to be joined together upon the application of heat and pressure.

In practice, the continuous wrapping strips 3 are preferably unwound from reels (not shown) which may be mounted at the left of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1; and, as the strips 3 move intermittently along the table I in the direction of the arrows in Fig. l, the mechanisms of the present invention deposit the applicator pads 4 upon the wrapping strips at uniformly spaced intervals as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5.

In describing the present invention, it will be assumed for purposes of illustration that the pads 4 are porous fabric applicators to be impregnated with a suitable medicament or lotion for application to the eyes for the relief of local irritations, and that therefore two such pads 4 are to be packed, one on top of the other, in each wrapper. The purpose of the present invention is to automatically remove the pads 4 in stacks of two (or any other predetermined number) from a magazine and deposit said stacks of pads on the intermittently moving wrapping strips 3 in uniform files as shown in Fig. 1. Once this had been done, the subsequent depositing of a few drops of eye lotion on each stack of pads 4, and the final sealing of the medicated pads in their wrappers, form no part of the present invention and therefore will not be described in detail. However, it may be mentioned that any suitable means may be employed to cover the medicated pads 4 on each wrapping strip 3 with another similar wrapping strip, then heat-seal the two superimposed wrapping strips together along their longitudinal edges as well as transversely between each stack of pads 4, and then sever the individually sealed wrappers (each containing a sandwich of two medicated pads 4) from the continuous sealed strips. Or, if desired, the product may be marketed in the form of elongated sausage-like strips folded accordion-wise in a box, with each stack of medicated pads sealed 01f from the adjacent stacks in the chain, thus permitting the user to tear off and use the contents of one compartment without exposing the adjacent one.

In the following description of the invention, we shall first describe the construction and operation of the magazine which supplies the pads 4 to be deposited on the wrapping strips 3.

Magazine The supply magazine, represented generally by the reference numeral 6 in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 14 and 15, is detachably secured to the machine and may be readily removed for replacement and refilling.

The upright magazine 6 comprises horizontal top and bottom plates 1 and 8, respectively, secured together by vertical side walls 9 and I0 and by a pair of vertical rods [2 which are secured to the top and bottom plates by nuts I3. Another pair of vertical rods M are secured between the top and bottom plates 1 and 8 and have their extremities reduced in diameter and projected outwardly through holes in said plates 1 and 8 to form pins a d 41) which serve to secure the magazine to the frame of the machine as hereinafter more fully described.

The magazine 6 contains three vertical supply tubes or compartments [5 which are secured to the top and bottom plates 1 and 8 and are open at the top to permit the applicator pads 4' to be inserted therein when loading the magazine, as well as to permit said pads to be withdrawn through said open tops during the operation of the machine, as hereinafter described. In actual practice the supply tubes i5 are also open at the bottom because there is no necessity for closing the bottoms of said tubes, as will presently appear. The outer or front faces of the tubes i5 (as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5) have elongated vertical openings or slots it which are wide enough to permit the insertion of the operators fingers when stacking the pads in the tubes. The inner or rear faces of the tubes 55 (as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5) have elongated vertical slots H which are diametrically opposite the slots it but are of less width, since the slots if need only be wide enough to admit the stems of the vertically movable platforms which support and elevate the stacks of pads 4' within the tubes l5, as will now be described.

The magazine tubes it each contain a circular horizontal elevator platform E9 of a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the tube itself, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 14. The platforms 19 have axially depending lugs mounted on horizontal stems 2i which extend outwardly through the narrow vertical slots ii at the rear of the tubes i5 and are secured by screws 22 to a vertically movable cross-bar 23, as shown in Fig. 2. The cross-bar 23 has two spaced vertical holes 24 through which pass the stationary vertical rods M of the magazine t, as also shown in Fig. 2. It will thus be evident that when the cross-bar 23 is moved vertically up or down on the rods i4, it will carry the elevator platforms it up or down in their respective magazine tubes it.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 14, the inner central portion of the vertically movable cross-bar 23 has a rectangular channel 25 containing a rectangular block 25 supported by a headed pin or bolt 28 which extends freely through a hole 29 in the cross-bar 23. A coil spring "it surrounds the bolt 2% and is compressed between the block 2t and the inner face of cross-bar 23, so that the spring 30 constantly urges the block 26 in an outward direction in channel 25, or toward the left as viewed in Fig. 14. The outer face of the block 26 (the face to the top of Fig. 2, or to the left in Fig. 14) has a semi-circular threaded groove 3i which is adapted to mesh with a vertical threaded shaft 32 on the frame of the machine for the purpose of actuating the block 25, cross-bar 23 and elevator platform's it.

The vertical threaded shaft 32' is journaled in the top and bottom plates 34 and 35 of a channelshaped support 36 which is welded or otherwise secured to the angular struts 3i constituting part of the framework of the machine. The lower end of shaft 32 extends downwardly through the bot tom plate 35 and carries a bevel gear 38 meshing with a companion gear 39' on a shaft M which is journaled in bearings 4' i secured to the base of the machine, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 14. The shaft Mi carries another bevel gear 43 meshing with bevel gear M on vertical shaft 45' which is journaled in bearing brackets it on the frame of the machine, as shown in. Figs. 3' and 4. The shaft 45 in turn carries a bevel gear ll meshing with bevel gear 48 on. the main: drive shaft 49 of the machine. Themai'n: drive shaft 49 rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; hence the vertical threaded shaft. 32' rotates continuously during the operation of the machine, and the rotation of'said shaft 32 is always in a direction to elevate. the: threaded, block 26 (and the elevator platforms: i9) when said block- 26 is in mesh with the shaft 32, as; will. now be described.

During the operation: of the machine the mag azine chambers or tubes 15 will eventually be emptied, and it: is therefore necessary that the magazine 6 be quickly removable as a unit in order to refill it, or else replace it with a duplicate loaded magazine. In order to permit the magazine 5 to he quickly secured to, and detached from the machine, the bottom side walls. of the stationary channel-shaped support 36 contain pivot pins 50' (Fig. 3 on which are journaled a pair of ears 5% carried by a bracket 52, as best shown in Figs. 3', 4' and 14. A pair of beaded bolts extend freely through slightly enlarged holes 55 inthe bracket 52 and are threaded into the bottom plate 35 of the channel-shaped support 36, as shown in Figs. 3 and: 14'. Coil springs 56 are compressed between the heads of bolts M-and the depending face of bracket 52. The expanding, force of springs as thus tends to hold the bracket 52 in contact with the bottom plate 35 of the channel-shaped support 3% as shown in Fig. 14, while at the same time permitting said bracket 52- to be tipped or' canted in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 14 against the force of springs 56. The horizontal face of bracket 52 contains two spaced holes 5'! (Figs. 3 and 14) which are adapted to receive the depending pins [4b on the lower ends of the vertical rods Id of magazine 6 for the purpose of locking the lower end of magazine 5 on thebracket 52.

For the purpose of locking the upper end of magazine 6 to the frame of the machine, it will be recalled that. the pins Ida (constituting the upper ends of the two vertical rods id of the magazine) project outwardly through holes in the top plate i of the magazine, as shown in Figs. .14 and 15; These pins Isa fit into slots. 58 in a stationary bar 5-9: which is secured by screws to the top plate 3d. of the channel-shaped support 36 on the frame of the. machine. When the pins Mic are thus seated slots 58 they are locked therein: by a sliding latch (52. which is secured by a slot-and-pin connection 63 to bar it and his lips 64 which straddle the pins Ma and thus secure them (and the upper end of magazine 6 )v to the bar- 59- as shown in Fig. The latch 52. is normally held in its locked position by a spring 65' secured to a pin 66 on the latch and to the channel-shaped support 35 on the frame of the machine, as shown in Fig. 15.

When the magazine 5 is locked on the frame of the machine as, shown in Fig. 14, the semicircular threaded groove 3! in block 26 of the magazine elevator unit will mesh with the threads of the vertical threaded shaft 32 on the frame of the machine, and rotation of said shaft will raise the cross-bar 2 3 and the elevator platforms I9 as previously mentioned. When it is desired to remove the magazine 6 from the machine for refilling or replacement, the operator simply moves the latch 62 toward the left in 15 against the tension of spring 65, thus withdrawing the locking lips 64 from the slots and from engagement with pine Md, and permitting the magazine to be tilted outwardly as shown in Fig.

15. In thus tilting the magazine, the bracket 52 supporting the bottom of magazine 6 at the base of the machine (Fig. 14) will tilt slightly on its pivot pins (in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 14) enabling the pins |4b on the bottom of the magazine to be withdrawn from the holes 51 in bracket 52 and permitting the magazine 6 to be lifted bodily from the machine.

By referring to Figs. 1, 4, 5, 14 and 15 it will be noted that a narrow horizontal bar 68 extends lengthwise across the magazine 6 in alignment with the top plate 1 and is detachably secured to the upper ends of the magazine walls 9 and I9 by wing nuts 69. The bar 68 carries three flexible spring fingers 19 which are secured thereto by screws H, and these fingers 10 project inwardly a short distance and overlie the respective elevator platforms IS in the supply tubes |5 in alignment with the slots IS in said tubes. As the elevator platforms I9 rise in the magazine tubes l5 during the operation of the machine, thereby elevating the stacks of pads 4 which are stacked on said platforms IS, the flexible fingers 19 press lightly upon the topmost pad 4 in each tube l5 at a point adjacent the peripheral edge of each such topmost pad, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, 5, '7 and 15. As a result, these flexible fingers l9 exert a light compressing or compacting force upon the rising columns of pads 4 in the magazine compartments or tubes I5; and this light compressive force of the fingers 19 also tends to slightly tilt up the edges of the pads 4 which are diametrically opposite the fingers 19 so that these forward or tipped-up surfaces of the pads 4 are more readily seized by the rotating suction fingers which are now about to be described.

Suction pick-up In describing the suction pick-up whereby the so-called pads 4 in magazine tubes l5 are re moved from said tubes and deposited on the continuous wrapping strips 3 of Fig. i, it is desired to emphasize the fact that the invention is not limited to the handling of any particular shape, size, number or composition of the articles which we refer to as applicator pads merely for purposes of illustration. The machine described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention is intended primarily for packaging pervious fabric pads 4 which serve as combined vehicles and applicators for a medicament, preferably an eye lotion. For this reason we desire each sealed foil wrapper to contain a stack of two superimposed applicator pads 4, one for each eye.

Accordingly, the supply tubes |5 of the magazine 5 used with this particular machine are stacked with each pair of applicator pads 4 sep arated from each succeeding pair of pads 4 by a similarly shaped spacer 12 of specially treated paper or other suitable material which is relatively impervious to the passage of air therethrough. Thus, by referring to Fig. '7 it will be observed that the two topmost discs in the magazine tube l5 are porous, relatively air-pervious fabric applicator pads 4, while the third disc from the top of the stack is a relatively air-impervious spacer l2. Immediately beneath said spacer 12 are two more applicator pads 4 followed by another spacer l2, and so on to the bottom of the stack. When air suction is applied to the topmost pad 4 in Fig, 7, in a manner presently to be described, such suction will readily penetrate both the topmost pad 4 and the next pad 4 directly beneath, and it will exert a lifting force on these two top pads 4 as well as on the third disc which is a spacer 12. However, this air suction will not permeate the relatively imperviou spacer 12, at least not sufficiently to exert a lifting action on the pads beneath said spacer.

The suction pick-up mechanism for performing the above mentioned operation comprises a rotary carriage which is generally designated by the reference numeral 15 in Figs. 1, 4 and 9.

As previously described, the vertical shaft 45 of the machine is rotated continuously, through bevel gears 41 and 48, by the main drive shaft 49 (Fig. 4). This vertical shaft 45 extends up wardly through a stationary cylindrical guard i6 :and bracket 11 secured by bolts 18 to the frame of the machine, and it is journaled in bearings 19 in the upper end of said guard 16 as shown in Fig. 9. The upper end of shaft 45 is keyed at 89 to a block 8|, and a hood 82 is keyed at 83 to said block 8| as shown in Fig. 9. Accordingly. it will be seen that block 8| and hood 82 rotate with the shaft 45.

The rotary block 8| carries three suction pipes 85 which are equally spaced and extend outwardly like the spokes of a wheel, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The inner ends of pipes 85 com municate within the block 8| with a central tube 86 which is connected by a suitable coupling 8'! to a suction hose 88, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9. Throughout the operation of the machine air suction is applied to the hose 88 in any suitable manner, as well as to the tube 86 and the suction pipes 85. The outer ends of suction pipes 85 are turned downwardly in a vertical direction and carry individual valve blocks 89 as shown in Figs. 4 and 9, each pipe 85 having its own valve block 89 as will be apparent from Fig. 1. Suitable braces 90 connect the valve blocks 89 to each other and. to the hood 82 for the purpose of strengthening the assembly, as shown in Fig. 1..

The valve blocks 89 (which are all identical) each have a depending pipe 9| carrying a hori zontal suction pipe or arm 92, each of which arms 92 extends outwardly in the same vertical plane as its own associated suction pipe 85, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Each of the suction arms 92 carries three vertically depending suction fingers 94 which are equally spaced from each other by a distance such that each of the three fingers 94 will pass directly over one of the three magazine tubes |5 during the operation of the machine. Furthermore, the suction fingers 94 are of such length that they will just clear the tops of the respective magazine tubes i5 (Fig. 4) and thus enable the suction in said fingers 94 to act on, and readily attract, the contents of said tubes |5 as indicated in Fig. '7.

Each valve block 89 contains a horizontally movable valve stem 95 the hollow interior of which contains valve ports 96 (Fig. 9) and the outer end of which carries a block 91 containing a roller 98 which is forced outwardly (toward the right in Figs. 4 and 9) by a coil spring 99 compressed between the valve block 89 and the roller block 91. Whenever a coil spring 99 moves its valve stem 95 outwardly (toward the right in Fig. 9) the interior valve ports 96 of that valve stem are in the open position (as is the case in Fig. 9) and the suction constantly applied to tube 86 (top of Fig. 9) draws air upwardly through all three suction fingers 94, suction arm 92, pipe 9| of that particular valve block 89 (Fig. 4) valve ports 96 and suction pipe 85 which is connected to the tube 86 (Fig. 9). It will be noted from Fig. 9 that the air which is thus drawn up through pipe 9| takes a somewhat circuitous course in passing between the two interior valve ports 99 in stem 95 due to the fact that the two valve ports 96 are not directly aligned with each other. This prevents the air from rushing directly in a straight line from pipe 9I through suction pipe 65 the instant the valve ports 96 are opened, and makes for smoother operation of the suction pick-up.

However, whenever any one of the valve stems 95 is forced inwardly (toward the left in Figs. 4 and 9) against the pressure of its coil spring 99, the interior valve ports 96 of that valve stem will be moved to the closed position, thus cutting oli the suction in the pipe 9| of that particular valve block, and, of course, cutting off the suction in the suction arm 92 and the three suction fingers 94 associated with that particular valve block. We shall nowdescribe the means acting on the rollers 98 on blocks 91 to control the outward and inward movement of the valve stems 95 which carry said blocks '91 and rollers-99'.

The upper end of stationary guard I5 (which surrounds the rotatable vertical shaft it in Figs. 4 and 9) carries a collar I which is secured thereto by set screws IIlI (Fig. 9). The upper face of this collar I90 carries a stationary discontinuous ring I92 whichis secured to said collar by screws I93 ('Figs.-5,-9 and 10). The broken or discontinuous ring I92, as its name implies, is an annular ring which is less than 360 in circumference. Its precise shape is shown in Fig. and it is also shown inFig. where it is not only labeled with the reference numeral I92 but is also shaded with horizontal cross-hatched lines to distinguish it from the other elements in Fig. 10. The outer peripheral edge of the stationary broken ring I92 isin the path of travel of the rollers 98 on the blocks ,9Iof the three valve stems 95 which, of course, rotate continuously with the entire rotary carriage during the operation of the machine.

Whenever the roller .98 of any valve stem 95 engages and rides uponthe peripheral edge of the stationary brokenring I92 that valve stem .95 is held in closedposition (closing its valve ports 96) against the force of its coil spring 99, and whenever this condition prevails no suction will be applied to the suction arm'..92, or suction The rotary carriage 15 rotates continuously in -'a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1; and, or" course, the shaft 45 and all portions of the carriage I5 which are visible in; Figs. 5,- 19 and 11 likewise rotate in a clockwise direction in these views. Fig. 5 shows all three of the valve stems 95 which (since they aremounted on the rotary carriage 15) rotate in a clockwise direction in Fig. 5. Now it will be noted that the roller 99 of the valve stem 95 which-is furthest to the left in Fig. 5 has just reachedthe terminus of the broken ring I52 and has just plunged off said ring I92 under the-force of ,its coil spring 99, thus opening its associated valve .ports and applying suction to its suction fingers 94. The broken ring I02 is so constructed; and positioned that this action (application of suction to fingers 94) takes 10 place just as the rotating suction fingers 94 arrive over the magazine tubes I9, and preferably just after said fingers 94 have passed the axial centers of the topmost applicator pads 9 in the magazine tubes I5, as shown in Fig. 5.

At this instant the suction in each active suction finger 94., such as that shown in Fig. '7, attracts and elevates the topmost pair of applicator pads i and the third or spacer disc E2, and carries them along as the finger 9d continues to rotate; the suction, however, is insufficient to penetrate the reiatively impervious spacer l2 and therefore does not disturb the stack of pads immediately below those which have thus been seized by the suction finger. As the suction fingers rotate, the spacer disc I2 on each finger is promptly detached and discarded by additional suction means (hereinafter described) but the suction continues to be applied to the three fingers 913 until the roller 98 of their associated valve stem again forced back upon the peripheral edge of the broken ring I02. Referring again to Figs. 5 and 19, it will be noted that the cut-away or missing portion of ring I92 extends over only a limited arc and terminates at the precise point where it is desired to cut off the suction and cause the rotating fingers 94 to drop their pairs of pads i upon the intermittently moving strips of wrapping material 3. It is at this point that the stationary broken ring I92 resumes, and it will be noted that the uppermost roller 98 in Fig. 5 (thatis, the roller 99 or" the valve stem 95 nearest the top of Fig. 5) has just been forced back upon the peripheral edge of ring I92 by a resetting device which will now be described.

The resetting device comprises a stationary box which is secured to the stationary collar E screws I96, as shown in Fig. 12. This stationary box is housed within (or covered by) the rotatable hood 82 which forms part of the rotary carriage t5 (Fig. 9) so that the hood t2 continuously rotates around the stationary box I during the operation of the machine. Furthermore, the stationary resetter box I95 is fixed to that portion of the collar I99 which supports the forward or leading end IGI of the stationary broken ring I92 (Figs. 5, l0 and 11). It is at this point that the rollers 98 of each continuously rotating valve stem 95 (having previously plunged off the rear or trailing end I98 of broken ring to apply suction to. the fingers 94) must be boosted back onto the peripheral edge of the broken ring E92, and this must be accomplished quickly with a snap-action in order to instantly out off the suction and cause the fingers 99 to deposit their applicator pads on the intermittently moving strips of wrapping material 3.

The resetter bOX I95 contains a plunger I09 (formed in two parts joined by set screws I I I as shownin 9 and 12) which is normally urged in an outward direction by a strong coil spring iii the plunger having a guide pin I12 moving in an elongated slot H3 in box I95 (Figs. 5, 9, l0 and 11). The plunger I99 carries a roller H t which is adapted to ride on elongated segments or cams i It secured to the inner cylindrical wall of the rotating hood 82 by set screws H6 for the purpose of forcing said plunger I99 inwardly against the force of its coil spring H9. The cams Iit are three in number; they are equally spaced from each other on the inner cylindrical wall of hood 82; and they are of such length that the blank space between the leading edge of one cam M5 and the trailing edge of the adjacent cam H5 overlies the roller blocks 9? of the respective valve stems 95, as best shown in Fig. 5.

Since the cams H5 rotate continuously with the hood 82 to which they are secured, the leading edge of each cam H5 will periodically strike the roller H4 on the plunger I09 of stationary resetter box I95, thus forcing said plunger I09 inwardly against the tension of its coil spring H; and the plunger I09 will remain depressed until the trailing edge of that earn H arrives opposite the plunger roller II4, whereupon the trailing edge of said cam H5 will ride ofi the roller H4 and the plunger I99 will plunge outwardly (as it is about to do in Fig. under the tension of its coil spring H0. The plunger H4 will remain in this outward position until the continued rotation of hood 82 brings the leading edge of the next succeeding cam H5 around to the resetter I95, whereupon said cam will engage the plunger roller H4 (Fig. 5) and force the plunger I09 inwardly against the tension of its coil spring H0.

Referring now to Fig. 10, attention is called to the valve stem 95 which is shown at the very top of this figure. The roller 98 on the block 9? of this topmost valve stem 95 is not riding on the peripheral edge of the stationary broken ring I92 because the ring I92 is broken away at this point; hence the said valve stem 95 has its valve ports 95 open (as is the case in Fig. 9) and suction is applied to the suction fingers 94 which are connected to that particular valve stem. 0

However, the said valve stem 95 at the top of Fig. 10 has just reached the edge of the stationary broken ring I02 and it must be instantly forced inwardly against the tension of its coil spring 99 in order to cut off the suction and force of the roller 98 of said valve stem back onto the peripheral edge of ring I02. The way this is accomplished is that at this precise moment (top of Fig. 10) the cam H5, which has been riding over the roller H4 on the plunger I99 of resetter I05, has just rotated to a point where its trailing edge is about to ride oir said roller I I 4, and, at the instant when this happens, the plunger I99 plunges outwardly under the action of its coil spring H0 and strikes against the roller 98 on the block 97 of the said valve stem 95 (at the top of Fig. 10) thus forcing said valve stem upwardly as viewed in Fig. 10 and causing its roller 98 to engage and ride on the peripheral edge or" the ring I02.

Fig. 11 shows the parts as they appear at the very instant the above-mentioned resetting operation takes place. The roller block 91 shown in full lines in Fig. 11 has just been forced upwardly (as viewed in Fig. 11) by the plunger I09 of resetting device I95, moving the roller 98 of said block 91 into line with the peripheral edge of the stationary ring I02. Thereupon, as the block 9'! continues to rotate (along with the rest of the carriage 15) the roller 98 rolls upon the peripheral edge of the ring I92 as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 11. The instant the block 9! is plunged to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 11 the suction in its associated valve 89 (Fig. 9) and suction fingers 94 (Fig. 4) is cut off, and it is at this moment that said file of three fingers 94 arrive in the proper position to drop their pairs of applicator pads 4 on the moving strips 3 of wrapping material shown in Fig. 1.

Referring again to Fig. 11, it will be seen that just after the aforesaid resetting operation takes place a cam IE5 rotates into position to engage the roller H4 of the resetter plunger $99 and move said plunger inwardly against the tension of its coil spring H0, in other words to the posiare actuated in the manner described. The position and dimensions of the stationary broken ring 192 are such that each suction arm 92 and its three depending suction fingers 94 are under suction from the moment they reach the proper position above the magazine tubes IE to pick up the applicator pads 4 and spacer disc 1'2 (Figs. 4 and 5) until they arrive at the proper position to deposit said applicator pads 4 on the moving strips of wrapping material 3, and at all other times the suction is turned off. Thus in Fig. 1, the suction arm 92 at the left is under suction since it is in the pick-up position directly over the magazine tubes I5; while the top-most arm 92 in Fig. 1 has just had its suction cut off and it has just deposited its charge of applicator pads 4 on the wrapping strips 3; and the third arm 92 at the lower right of Fig. 1 will not be under suction until its clockwise rotation carries it to the pick-up position above the magazine 6.

Suction nozzles for dislodging spacers It has been explained how the three suction fingers 94 of each suction arm 92 pass over the tops of the three magazine tubes I5 and, in this specific embodiment of the invention, pick up a stack of two air-permeable applicator pads 4 and a relatively air-impervious spacer I2. Fig. '2 shows a suction finger 94 in the act of lifting two such pads 4 and a spacer 12 off the top of a magazine tube I5, and this represents the actual condition of the three fingers 94 on the suction arm 92 at the left of Fig. 1 overlying the magazine 6. However, before this loaded suction arm 92 (rotating clockwise with the entire rotary carriage E5 in Fig. 1) reaches the suction-off position above the strips of wrapping material 3 in Fig. 1 it is necessary to strip off and discard the spacer disc 12 which adheres to the bottom of each pair of applicator pads 4 as shown in Fig. 7 If these spacer discs 12 were not stripped off and discarded, they would be carried along and deposited on the wrapping material 3 along with the appli-- cator pads 4. The mechanisms for dislodging and discarding these spacers I2 are illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 13.

The stripping device comprises three tapered suction nozzles l I8 connected to a pipe I I9 which is mounted on supports I20 constituting part of the framework of the machine and located between the magazine 6 and the table 5 containing the moving wrapping strips 3. The pipe H9 is connected through valve I2I to a suction line I22, as shown in Fig. 13. Ihe valve I2I contains suitable ports (not shown) and a valve stem I23 actuated by a coil spring I24 which urges the stem E23 outwardly (toward the right in Figs. 6 and 13) to close the valve ports and disconnect pipe H9 and nozzles I H! from suction line 522. The inner end of valve stem I23 has a limit head or stop I25 which limits its outward movement, and the outer end of said stem carries a roller I21.

A cam E28 in the general shape of a truncated triangle is secured by screws I29 to a collar I30 which is keyed to the vertical shaft 45 of the machine, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 13. This cam I28 rotates continuously with shaft 45 in the horizontal plane or the roller I21 on valve stem I23, and whenever any one of the three truncated peaks of cam I28 strikes the roller I21 it forces the valve stem I23 inwardly (toward the left in Figs. 4, 6 and 13) against the tension of coil spring I24, thus opening valve HI and connecting pipe 13 l is and nozzles 1 I8 to the suction line I22. And when any one of the three truncated peaks of cam its rides off the roller I21 the coil spring I24 forces the valve stem I23 outwardly (toward the right in Figs. l, 6 and 13) thereby closing valve izli and disconnecting pipe 9' and nozzles II8 from suction line E22. The cam I28 has three truncated. peaks for applying suction to nozzleslit for the reason that the rotating carriage I has three pick- 11p arms 92-, and oneof said truncated peaks actuates valve stem I23 to apply suction to nozzles IIB whenever one of said rotating pick-up arms 92 arrives at the point where itssuction fingers 94 (each carrying a pair of applicator pads ii and an underlying spacer disc l2) sweep over the nozzles H8.

Fig. 8 shows one of the suction fingers Min-the act of carrying its leader two'applicator pads and their underlying spacer I2 over one of the suction nozzles H8; and at such time, of course, air is being drawn upwardl'y't-hrough the finger 53 i and downwardly through nozzle H8, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8. Since the suction finger holds the pads 1- and spacer i2 near their advancing peripheral edge rather than at their axial center (as previously explained in connection with Fig. 7) the rearward parts of the rather limp pads and spacer will be tilted slightly downwardly as shown in Fig. 8 (and also in Fig. 7) and therefore the pads 4 and spacer '32- will pass partway over the nozzle I53 beforethe suction in said nozzle (acting directly on the spacer ls) seizes the spacer l2 and sucks it away from the pads l. As soon as this has been accomplished the suction is cut off from nozzle H8 in the manner previously described, and the spacer l2 will topple off the tapered nozzle H8 and tumble into a suitable waste receptacle (not shown). Of course, the suction-still'remains-on the finger es in Fig. 8 which continues to rotate with its stack of two pads A (but not the discarded spacer "52) until said fingered-arrives over one of the moving wrapping stripst wherethe pads t are released as previously described.

Referring again to Fig. 8, it will be noted that when the spacer i2" is detached from pads 4 by the suction in nozzle II8, the trailing edge of the advancing pads twill usually be tilted slightly downwardly and willusuallydrag over the topping spacer l2 and help to shove it over the tapered face of the nozzle II8- as indicated by the dotted position of the tumbling spacer l2 in Fig. 8.

Gum-cl for aligning pads onwrapping strips It has already been explained how the three suction fingers of each rotating suction arm deposit their stacks of two applicator-pads 4 on the respective wrapping strips 3; and Fig. 1 shows said pads i neatly arranged; in orderly files of equally spaced pads, ready for-'the-final medicating and sealing operations which form no part of the present invention.

However, it may occasionally happen that the three suction fingers 941011 any givenarm- 92 may not all hold their,respectivepadsl in precisely the same position, For example, one of the three fingerseii on agiven arm 92'may hold its pads in the properoff-center position shown in Fig. 8, whereas another of said fingers 94 may possibly grasp. its. pads 4 .at' a" point somewhat nearer their axial center. In" such event the pads l wouldjnot all beequallyspaced on their respectively wrapping strips ."rwhen dropped thereon by the simultaneous cutting off of suction in all three fingers 94. In order to avoid such unequal spacing of the pads 4 on the wrapping strips 3, and thereby facilitate the subsequent sealing of the pads in their individual wrappers, we provide the aligning device illustrated in Figs. 1, 5, 17, 18 and 19.

This aligning device comprises a stationary upright plate I32 which extends transversely across and above the table I at the station where the suction in fingers 94 is out off to deposit the pads i on the moving wrapping strips 3. The plate I32 is adjustably secured by screws I33 to the standards 2 of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1'7, 18 and 19; The upright wall of plate I32 is cut away to form three openings ass through which the moving suction fingers 94 can pass. Individually adjustable flanged gates I35- are secured to the plate I32 adjacent and on opposite sides of the openings I34 by nuts I36- acting in horizontal slots I3! in plate I32. When the moving suction fingers 94 arrive with the pads 4 at the drop-off position, the pads i' will strike against the respective flanged gates I35, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18i Since the suction is cut oif simultaneouslyin all three fingers 94, all three pairs of pads 4' will drop at the same time, and their contact with'gates I35-wi1l compel all three pairs of pads to land at the same place on the respective wrapping strips- 3 as shown in Fig. 18, even though the momentum of one rotating finger 9 5 (such asthe outermost finger at the top of Fig. 1 maybe slightly greater than the momentum of the other fingers.v

Furthermore, if one finger sdshould happento carry its pair of pads 4- slightly in advance of the others, such advance pads will be' caught by the gates I35 and retarded for the fraction. of a second required to permit the other pads to catch up with it before all the pads are deposited on the wrapping strips 3; The plate I32 and the individual gates I35 are adjusted in ad'- vance to insure the proper spacing and" alignment of the pads on the wrapping strips.

Operation The operation of the machine can best be followed by referring to Figs. 1; 4-; 14 and 15.v First, a freshly filled magazine S'is secured to the machine by fitting the bottom pins I ib onv bottom plate 8 of. the magazine into the holes =5? in pivotedbrackettz at-the base of-thema-- chine (Fig. 14) and then-tilting the top of the. led on topv plate I enter the slots 58- in bar '59 and are.- locked therein by releasing the'spring-actuated The elevator" platforms Iii magazine inwardly'until the pins latch 62 (Fig. 15). supporting the stacks of applicator pads d andv intervening spacers l2- are at the bottoms of the magazine tubes I5; and the threaded groove Si in block 28 of the vertically movable'crossbar 23 is in mesh with the-vertical'threaded shaft 32 on the frame of the machine.

The main drive shaft 49'(Fig. 4) is set in motion and continues to'rotate at a uniform rate throughout the operation of the machine. The continuous strips of wrapping material 3 (Fig. 1) are moved intermittent-lyin'the direction of the arrows by'any suitable means: (not shown) at a rate which will depend'upon the speed of the rotating carriage lfi'and the spacingzto'be maintainedbetween the: pads i. deposited: on said strips- 3. The main drive ZSllaft filtarotates the vertical shaft-45' (Fig. 4-) which continuously rotates the carriage- 75-- as...previously explained.

The vertical shaft 45 actuates the shaft 40 (Fig. 4) which in turn continuously rotates the vertical threaded shaft 32 (Fig. 14) in a direction to raise the elevator platform is in the magazine tubes l5. It will thus be seen that the elevator platforms l9 continuously raise the applicator pads 4 and spacers T2 in tubes l5 at a uniform rate, while the carriage continuously rotates the suction fingers 94 over the open tops of said tubes I5.

The suction arm 92 in Fig. 4 (which is also shown at the left in Fig. 1) has just arrived with its suction fingers 94 in the pick-up position over the magazine tubes [5. At this moment the valve 89 of that particular suction arm 92 operates (Fig. 9) to connect said fingers 94 to the suction hose 88 (Fig. 4). The air suction in said fingers 9t attracts the two topmost applicator pads 4 and the third or spacer disc 12 of each magazine tube l5, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and the fingers continue to rotate in a clockwise di rection in Fig. 1 with these pads and spacer discs in tow.

The advancing fingers thereupon carry their loads over the suction nozzles H8 (Figs. 1 and 5) which at that moment are activated by the mechanism of Fig. 13 to connect said nozzles with the suction line I22. The downward suction in nozzles H8 attracts the relatively impervious spacers 12 (Fig. 8) but cannot penetrate to unseat the pair of applicator pads 4 which are still held by the suction in the rotating fingers 94. Consequently the dislodged spacers T2 topple oil the tapered nozzles H8 and are discarded as shown in Fig. 8, while the fingers 94 continue to rotate with the applicator pads 4 unencumbered with the spacers.

When the aforesaid suction arm 52 arrives with its fingers 94 at the discharging position over the intermittently moving wrapping strips 3, its valve 89 operates to disconnect the fingers 84% from the suction hose 8B, and the pairs of superposed applicator pads 4 are deposited on the respective wrapping strips 3 with the aid of the aligning device previously described in connection with Figs. 17, 18 and 19. The machine continues to operate in the manner described until the magazine 6 is exhausted, at which time the empty magazine is quickly and easily detached and replaced by a loaded magazine.

Although a specific embodiment has been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of various other modifications and. adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a stack interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, applying suction to the end of said stack to attract and detach the end article and adjacent spacer, moving the detached article and spacer forward while holding same under suction, detaching the spacer from said moving article, and then removing the suction from said article to release same.

2. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a stock interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, applying suction to the end of said stack to attract and detach the end article and adjacent spacer, moving the detached article and '16 spacerforward while holding same under sue tion, applying a counter-suction to said moving spacer sufficient to detach same from said moving article, and then removing the suction from said article to release same.

3. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a stack containing groups of superposed articles separated by relatively impervious spacers, applying suction to the end of said stack to attract and detach the end group of articles and the adjacent spacer, moving the detached group and spacer forward while holding same under suction, detaching the spacer from said moving group of articles, and then removing the suction from said group to release same.

4. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a stack containing groups of superposed articles separated from succeeding groups by individual relatively impervious spacers, applying suction to the end of said stack to attract and detach the end group of articles and the adjacent spacer, moving the detached group and spacer forward while holding same under suction, applying a counter-suction to said moving spacer sufficient to detach same from said moving group of articles, and then removing the suction from said group to release same.

5. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in an upright stack interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, elevating said stack of articles and spacers, periodically applying suction to the top of said stack to attract and detach the topmost article and its underlying spacer, moving the detached article and spacer forward while holding same under suction, detaching the spacer from said moving article, and then removing the suction from said article to release same.

6. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in an upright stack interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, elevating said stack of articles and spacers, periodically applying suction to the top of said rising stack to attract and detach the topmost article and its underlying spacer, moving the detached article and spacer forward while holding same under suction, applying a countersuction to the bottom of said moving spacer sufiicient to detach same from said moving article, and then removing the suction from said article to release same.

7. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in an upright stack containing groups of superposed articles separated from underlying groups by individual relatively impervious spacers, continuously elevating said stack, periodically applying suction to the top of said stack to attract and detach the topmost group of articles and the underlying spacer, moving the detached group and spacer forward while holding same under suction, detaching the spacer from said moving group of articles, and then removing the suction from said group to release same.

8. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in an upright stack containing groups of superposed articles separated from underlying groups by individual relatively impervious spacers, continuously elevating said stack, periodically applying suction to the top of said stack to attract and detach the topmost group of articles and the underlying spacer, moving the detached group and spacer forward while holding same under suction, applying a counter-suction to the bot,- tom of said moving spacer suiiicient to detach same from said moving group of articles, and then removing the suction from said group of articles to release same.

9. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the

method which comprises arranging such articles in a stack interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, applying suction to the end of said stack to attract and detach the end article and ad= jacent spacer, moving the detached article and. spacer forward while holding same under suc-i tion, detaching the spacer from said moving article, movin a strip of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said article, and removing the suction from said article when over said wrapping strip to deposit said article on said strip.

1D. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in an upright stack interleaved with relatively impervious spacers, elevating said stack of articles and spacers, periodically applying suction to the top of said rising stack to attract and detach the topmost article and the underlying spacer, moving the detached article and spacer forward while holding same under suction, -applying a counter-suction to the bottom of said moving spacer sufiicient to detach. same from said moving article, moving a strip of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said article, and removing the suction from said article when over said wrapping strip to deposit said article on said strip.

11. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a plurality of aligned upright stacks interleaves with relatively impervious spacers, elevating said stacks of articles and spacers, periodically applying suction simultaneously to the tops of said rising stacks to attract and detach each topmost article and its underlying spacer, moving the detached articles and underlying spacers forward in spaced relation while holding same under suction, applying counter-suction to the bottom of each moving spacer sufficient to detach same from said moving articles, moving strips of wrapping material beneath the respective paths of movement of said articles, retarding the moving articles when over said wrapping strips to align them above the respective strips, and simultaneously removing the suction from the aligned articles to deposit them on said strips.

12. In the packaging of air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, the method which comprises arranging such articles in a plurality of aligned upright stacks each containing groups of superposed articles separated from underlying groups by individual relatively impervious spacers, continuously elevating said stacks of, articles and spacers, periodically applying suction simultaneously to the, tops of said rising stacks to attract and detach the topmost groups of articles and their individual underlying spacers, moving the detached groups and 18 spacers fcrwardin, spaced relation while holding same under tension, applying counter-suction to the bottom of each moving spacer sufficient to detach same from, said moving groups of articles,

, moving strips. of wrapping material beneath the paths of movement of the respective groups of articles, retarding the movement of said groups of articles when over said wrapping strips to align them above the respective strips, and simultaneously removing the suction from the aligned groups of articles to deposit them on said strips.

13. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a succession oi such articles and intervening relative ly impervious spacers, a movable suction member adapted to move in proximity to said magazine to. attract and reiilnvethe outermost articles and means for removing saidspacer from said su tion member, and means independent of said lastementioned means for removing said articles from said suction, member.

14. In, a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a stack of such articles and intervening relatively impervious spacers, a movable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, means for conmeeting said suction source to each suction memher over said mash-Z ne to attract and remove the outermost articles and adjacent spacer, means for removing said spacers from said suction members, and means independent of said last-mentioned means for cutting off the suction in said suctionv members to release said articles.

15. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a stack of such articles and intervening relatively impervious spacers, a movable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to. said carriage, means controlled by the carriage in its movement to. connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remDv-e the outermost articles and adjacent spacer, means for supporting a wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, means between said magazine and said wrapping material for separating said spacers from the air-pervious articles held by saidsuction members, and means controlled by the movement of said carriage to out 01f the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said articles.

16. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a stack Qt such articles and intervening relatively impervious spacers, means for advancing said stack in said magazine, a movable, carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suetion connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means controlled by" the carriage in its movement to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine toattract and remove the outermost articles and adjacent spacer, means for sup orting a wrapping material beneath said suction mem ers beyond said magazine, means between said magazine, and said wrapping material. for separating said spacers from the airpervious articles held by said suction members, and means controlled bythe carriage in its move- 19 ment to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said articles.

17. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a stack of such articles and intervening relatively impervious spacers, means for advancing said stack in said magazine, a movable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means controlled by the carriage in its movement to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remove the outermost articles and adjacent spacer, means for supporting a wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, additional suction means between said magazine and said wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said suction members to attract and remove said spacers, and means controlled by the carriage in its movement to close the valve and out 01f the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said articles.

18. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a vertical stack of such articles and intervening relatively impervious spacers, means for elevating said stack in said magazine, a rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pas successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remove the topmost articles and underlying spacer, means for supporting a wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, means between said magazine and said wrapping material for separating said spacers from the airpervious articles held by said suction members, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said articles.

19. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles, a magazine adapted to contain a vertical stack of such articles and intervenin relatively impervious spacers, means for continuously elevating said stack in said magazine, a rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remove the topmost articles and underlying spacer, means for supporting a wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, additional suction means between said magazine and said wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said suction members to attract and remove said spacers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said articles.

20. In a machine for packaging air-pervious article such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine adapted to contain a vertical stack of pads and intervening relatively impervious spacers, means for continuously elevating said stack in said magazine, a continuously rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and underlying spacer, means for supporting a wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, additional suction means between said magazine and said wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said suction members to attract and remove said spacers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction member overlying said wrapping material to release said pads.

21. In a machine for packaging air-pervious articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine adapted to contain a vertical stack of pads and intervening relatively impervious spacers, means for continuously elevating said stack in said magazine, a continuously rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction members positioned to pass successively over said magazine, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction members, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and connect said suction source to each suction member over said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and underlying spacer, means for supporting a, wrapping material beneath said suction members beyond said magazine, additional suction means between said magazine and said wrapping material beneath the path of movement of said suction members to attract and remove said spacers, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction member overlying said Wrapping material to release the pads carried by said member, and means adjacent said wrapping material engageable with said pads to position said pads on said wrapping material.

22. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments adapted to contain stacks of such pads and intervening relatively non-porous spacers, a rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass over the respective supply compartments to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to connect said source of suction to the respective arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and underlying spacers, means for supporting a plurality of strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective fingers, means between said magazine and said wrapping strips for separating the spacers from the pads carried by said fingers and discarding the spacers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to cut off the suction toeach suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers.

23. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments adapted to contain stacks of such pads and intervening relatively non-porous spacers, means for elevating the contents of said compartments, a rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass over the respec-v tive supply compartments to exert suction-thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage in dividual to the respective suction arms for separately connecting said arms to said source of suction, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and apply suction through the respective arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and underlying spacers, means for supporting a plurality of strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective fingers, means between said magazine and said wrapping strips for removing and discarding the spacers carried by said fingers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers.

24. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a mag! azine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments adapted to contain stacks of such pads and intervening relatively non-porous spacers, means for elevating the contents of said compartments, a rotatable carriage having a plurality of suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass over the respective supply compartments ,to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction arms for separately connecting said. arms to said sourceof suction, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to Open said valves and apply suction through the respective arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and underlying spacers, means for supporting a plurality of strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective fingers, a plurality of suction nozzles between said magazine and said wrapping strips beneath the path of movement of said fingers, means coordinated with the rotation of said carriage to apply suction through said nozzles upon the passage of said fingers to attract and discard the spacers carried beneath said fingers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers.

25. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments open at the top and adapted to contain stacks of such pads arranged in groups with intervening relatively non-porous spacers, elevator platforms in said compartments for supporting said stacks therein, means for elevating said platforms to simulantously raise the contents of said compartments, a rotatable car riag'e having a plurality of suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass over the open tops of the respective supply compartrnents to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction arms for separately connecting said arms to said source of suction, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves andapply suction through the respective suction arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and the underlying spacers subjected to suction, means for supporting a plurality of strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective suction fingers, a plurality of suction nozzles between saidmagazine and said wrapping strips beneath the path of movement of said suction fingers, means coordinated with the rotation of said carriage to apply downward suction through said nozzles upon the passage of said suction fingers to attract and discard the spacers carried beneath said fingers, and means control-led by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut oi? the suction of each suction and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers.

26. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments open at the top and adapted to contain stacks of such pads arranged in groups with intervening relatively non-porous spacers, elevator platforms in said compartments for supporting said stacks therein, means for continuously clevating said platforms to simultaneously raise the contents of said compartments, a continuously rotatable carriage having a plurality of equally spaced suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction finger on each of said arms positioned to pass directly over the open tops of the respective supply compartments at a [height to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction arms for separately connecting said arms to said source of suction, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and apply suction through the respective suctions arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and the underlying spacers subjected to suction, means for supporting a plurality of horizontal strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective suction fingers, a plurality of tapered suction nozzles between said magazine and said wrapping strip directly beneath the path of movement of said suction fingers, means coordinated with the rotation of said carriage to momentarily apply downward suction through said nozzles upon the passage of said suction fingers to attract and discard the spacers carried beneath said fingers, and means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers.

27. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a, magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments open at the top and adapted to con-' tain stacks of such pads arranged in groups with intervening relatively non-porous spacers, elevator platforms in said compartments for supporting said stacks therein, means for continuously elevating said platforms to simultaneously raise the contents of said compartments, :a continuously rotatable carriage having a plurality of equally spaced suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass directly over the open tops of the respective supply compartments at a height to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction arms for separately connectin said arms to said source of suction, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and apply suction through the respective suction arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and the underlying spacers subjected to suction, means for supporting a plurality of horizontal strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective suction fingers, a plurality of tapered suction nozzles between said magazine and said wrapping strips directly beneath the path of movement of said suction fingers, means coordinated with the rotation of said carriage to momentarily apply downward suction through said nozzles upon the passage of said suction fingers to attract and discard the spacers carried beneath said fingers, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers, and means cooperating with said strips of wrapping material and engageable with the pads carried by said fingers for positioning said pads on said wrapping strips.

28. In a machine for packaging porous articles such as pharmaceutical applicator pads, a magazine including a plurality of vertical supply compartments open at the top and adapted to contain stacks of such pads arranged in groups with intervening relatively non-porous spacers, elevator platforms in said compartments for supporting said stacks therein, means for continuously elevating said platforms to simultaneously raise the contents of said compartments, flexible means partly overlying the tops of said compartments to lightly engage and compress the rising stacks and tilt the topmost layers therein, a continuously rotatable carriage having a plurality of equally spaced suction arms movable over said magazine, a plurality of suction fingers on each of said arms positioned to pass directly over the open tops of the respective supply compartments at a height to exert suction thereon, a source of suction connected to said carriage, a plurality of valves on said carriage individual to the respective suction arms for separately connecting said arms to said source of suction, means cooperating with said valves and controlled by the carriage in its rotation to open said valves and apply suction through the respective suction arms and fingers passing said magazine to attract and remove the topmost pads and the underlying spacers subjected to suction, means for supporting a plurality of horizontal strips of wrapping material beneath the path of movement of the respective suction fingers, a plurality of tapered suction nozzles between said magazine and said wrapping strips directly beneath the path of movement of said suction fingers, means coordinated with the rotation of said carriage to momentarily apply downward suction through said nozzles upon the passage of said uction fingers to attract and discard the spacers carried beneath said fingers, means controlled by the carriage in its rotation to close the valve and cut off the suction of each suction arm and finger overlying said wrapping strips to release the pads carried by said fingers, and means cooperating with said strips of wrapping material and engageable with the pads carried by said fingers for positioning said pads on said wrapping strips.

LEONARD A. HERZIG. MARTIN COAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Numb-er Name Date 1,355,296 Winkley Oct. 12, 1920 1,904,720 Douglass Apr. 18, 1933 2,025,935 Burns Dec. 31, 1935 2,196,081 Reynoldson Apr. 2, 1940 2,253,283 Minaker Apr. 19, 1941 

